miller



No. 609,449. Patented Aug. 23, I898.

G. J. MILLER.

EXCAVATING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 13, 1897.)

3 Sheet -Sheat I.

(-No Model.)

Wit esse THE NORRIS PETERS cc moTaummfv Asumown. 11c

No. 609,449. Patented Aug. 23, I898.

a. .1. MILLER.

EXCAVATING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 13, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(NeModeL) IvaQgTQP fi wsiaf Mailer No. 609,449. Patented Aug. 23, I898.

. G. J. MILLER.

EXCAVATING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Dec. 13, 1897.) 7 (no Model.) s- Sheets-8heet s.

IIJaQlDTQP @usZZfJMv'ZZer GUS'IOF J. MILLER, OF DULUTILlVIINNESOTA,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO J. A. WVATTERl/VORTH AND H. FEE, OF SAME PLACE.

EXCAVATlNG-MACHIN E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 609,449, dated August23, 1898. Application filed December 13, 1897. $erial No. 661,666. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTOF J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State of Minnesota,have invented anew and useful Excavating-Machine, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in excavating-machines which may beused, for

a variety. of purposes, such as excavating foundations for buildings,trenchwork adapted for the installation of sewers, water-pipes, and thelike,"for loading and unloading materials to and from cars a's, forexample, soft I 5 iron-ore, coal, and the likeor for loading orunloading sand or gravel to or from scows or cars, or for excavating andloading work genorally.

In my machine I have provided a suitable 2o foundation or framework onwhich is erected a main mast preferably stepped in a bearing to turn ina horizontal plane, and with this mast is combined a vertically-slidablemast, a boom carried by said vertically-slidable mast, a travelingexcavator shovel or bucket,

mechanism for imparting vertical adj ustment to the slidable mast andthe boom which is carried thereby, means for actuating the excavatorbucket or shovel to adapt the latter to have traveling movement back andforth on the boom, and means for swinging the main mast, the slidablemast mounted thereon, the boom, and the excavator bucket or shovel in ahorizontal plane.

3 5 The invention further consists in the construction of the means forcarrying the traveling excavator bucket or shovel, the means for lockingand tripping the excavator bucket or shovel, and the means forsupporting and guiding the slidable mast; and the invention furtherconsists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts which willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed. 4

To enable others to understand my inven- 5 tion, I have illustrated thesame in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,and in which.'

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an excavating apparatus or machineconstructed in ac- 5o cordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan viewthereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view,

partly in section, on the plane indicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig.1, looking in the direction of the arrow and illustrating theconstruction of the boom and the excavator shovel or bucket. Fig. 4 isadetail view of the traveling carriage for the excavator bucket orshovel. Fig. 5 is a transverse horizontal sectional view through themain mast and the vertically-adjustable mast on the 6'0 plane indicatedby the dotted line 5 5 of Fig.

1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the lower part ofthe mainmast, the vertically-slidable mast,and the casting forming apart of the foundation-framework of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a detailhorizontal sectional view on the plane indicated by the dotted line 7 7of Fig. 6 and illustrating the rocking bar by which the horizontalturning movement is imparted to the mainmast. Fig. 8 is a detail sectionon the lineS 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of thebracket at the outer end of the boom. 1

. Like numerals of referencedenote like and corresponding parts in eachof the several figures of the drawings.

1 designates the foundation-framework of my excavating apparatus, and inthe preferred embodiment of this foundation-framework I construct it toinsure portability or movement-thereof, so that the apparatus may beadvanced as the work progresses. This is not material, however, becausethe framework may be stationary. In the embodiment of the foundation ormain frameI employ the base-sills 2, the cross-sills 3, and the angularor diagonal timbers 5,all of which are bolted or otherwise unitedtogether to produce a strong substantial structure. As shown by thedrawings, this foundation or main frame is mounted on the casters 8 toadapt the main frame to be moved along as the nature of the workrequires; but in lieu of these casters I may employ suitable rollers, orthe base:sills 2 may be constructed as runners. The tim 5 bers 5 arearranged diagonally across the foundation or main frame to occupyhorizontal positions and to converge toward the front end of thefoundation or main frame, and the adjacent ends of these angular ordiagonal 10o timbers are fitted in sockets '7 of a casting 6, saidcasting and the diagonal or angular timbers being bolted together toeffect their union in a substantial manner. This casting 6 occupies acentral position at the front end of the foundation or main frame, and,as shown by Figs. 5 and 6, this casting is extended or projected belowthe cross-sills 3 of the main frame to furnish a guide for theverticallyslidable mast. The front vertical face of this casting 6 isexposed at the extreme front side of the foundation or main frame, andagainst said exposed face of the casting is adapted to ride the slidablemast, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 5.

On the rear part of the foundation or main frame is erected a suitablehoisting-engine and its boiler, which may be of any convenient orpreferred type, and said engine is equipped with a sufficient number ofdrums for operating the various working parts of the excavatingapparatus. As shown by the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, the hoisting-engineis equipped with a winding-drum 10 for use in connection with the cablethat operates to raise and lower the boom, a winding-drum 11 for thecable that operates the excavator bucket or shovel, another winding-drum12 for the cable that imparts the vertically-adjustable play or movementto the mast, and the nigger-heads or drums 13 for the cables that impartthe swinging movement to the mainmast and the elements associatedtherewith.

14 designates the mainmast, which is erected at the front end of thefoundation or main frame. The lower end of said mainmast is stepped orpivotally mounted at 15 in a socket provided for its reception in thecasting 6, and said mainmast is held in position by means of theinclined fixed braces 16 and the guy-ropes 17. The upper ends of theinclined fixed braces 16 are suitably joined together to form a bearingfor a pintle 19 for the upper extremity of the mainmast 14, thuspivotally supporting the mainmast on vertical pivots to adapt it to havethe desired turning movement in a horizontal plane. The guy-ropes 17 aresuitably fastened to the braces or the devices thereon forming thesupport for the mainmast-pintle 19, and the lower end of said guy-ropesare attached to eyebolts 18 or other suitable appliances on the main orfoundation frame 1.

2O designates the slidable mast. This mast is fitted laterally againstthe front vertical face of the mainmast 14 and the vertical casting 6 tobe free to move endwise in a vertical direction, while at the same timeit is held in close lateral relation to said mainmast and the casting 6.The rear side of the mainmast 14, or that face thereof opposite to theface against which the mast 20 is adapted to move, is provided with thevertical track-irons 24, which are suitably fastened to said mast 14 toextend substantially throughout the length thereof, said track-ironsbeing spaced laterally in relation to each other and form betweenthemselves a channel or space through which the ropes or cables may passthat adjust the slidable mast 20 and the boom 30, attached to said mast20. To the upper end of the vertically-slidable mast 20 is rigidlyfastened a transverse keeper 21, which is adapted to embrace therelatively-fixed mainmast 14 and the track-irons 24 on said mainmast,and to the lower part of the mainmast 14, preferably at a point adjacentto the stepped bearing 15 thereof, is secured a fixed keeper 21, whichis arranged to loosely embrace the slidable mast 20, said fixed keeper21 being situated in a horizontal position at the lower terminals of thetrack-irons 24. The upper keeper 21, attached to the mast 20, is adaptedto move or play therewith in the vertical adjustments which may beimparted to said mast 20, and to reduce the friction and wear betweenthe keeper and the mainmast, as well as to obviate any tendency of theslidable mast 20 to bind against the mainmast 14, I provide thefriction-rollers 22, which are journaled on a short shaft 23. The shaft23 is carried by the inner end of the slidable keeper 21 on'the mast 20,and the rollers 22 are mounted on said shaft 23 in position to ride andtravel on the fixed track-irons 24 of the mainmast 14. The lowerextremity or foot of the vertically-slidable mast is adapted to projectbelow the foundation or main frame 1 of the apparatus whenever it isdesired to employ the apparatus for excavating in deep trenches, andsaid mast 20 is adapted to have such a range of vertical adjustment onthe framework and the mainmast 14 erected thereon that the slidable mastand the boom may be raised or lowered, according to the demandsof thework under progress.

The means for adjusting the slidable mast 20 in a vertical directionconsists of a haulage-cable 27, which is guided by suitable rollers orsheaves 28 on the mainmast and is conducted to the reversible drum 12 ofthe hoisting-engine 9. This hoisting-cable for the slidable mast is ledthrough a double block or sheave 25, suitably attached to the mainmastnear the upper extremity thereof, thence down to and around a block orsheave 26, attached to the upper extremity of the slidable mast 20, andthence carried back to the block or sheave 25, and finally it is carriedback to the sheave 26 and attached to the block thereof at the point 27,as shown by Fig. 1.

It will be understood that when the drum 12 of the engine 9 is rotatedin one direction the cable 27 will be drawn tantto lift the slidablemast 20 with relation to the main frame and the mast 14; but when thedrum 12 is rotated in the opposite direction the weight of the slidablemast and the parts associated therewith cause the mast to descend bygravity and draw on the cable 2'7 until the tension of the cable checksand arrests the descent of the mast 20 and the parts carried thereby.

' The boom is pivotally attached to the vertically-slidable mast 20 tomove in the ver- 7 tical direction therewith and to have an independentmovement on its pivot or hinge Without respect to the adjustment in astraight vertical line of the mast 20. The hinge connection between thefoot or lower extremity of the slidable mast and the inner end of theboom is indicated at 31 in the drawings, and at the outer or free end ofthis pivoted swinging boom 30 is provided a pair of parallel angularbracket-shaped plates 32, which are fastened at their inner ends rigidlyon the boom by suitable bolts. These plates, which constitute theangular bracket, project for a suitable distance beyond the extremity ofthe boom to have their upper ends terminate in a horizontal plane abovethe line of said boom 30, and said angular bracket 32 provides the meansfor supporting the trip and a guide sheave or roller, which will behereinafter more fully described.

The pivoted boom 30 is designed to be raised and lowered on its hingeconnection with the foot of the slidable mast 20 by a cable 33, one endof which is attached to the hanger or bracket of a sheave 34, suitablyhung on the upper extremity of the mainmast 14. This cable extends toand around one member of a double sheave 35, attached by hangers orlinks to the angular bracket 32 on the boom, and from this member of thedouble sheave 35 the cable 33 passes to and around the sheave of thesingle block 34 on the mainmast, thence to and around another member onthe double block 35, thence up to and around the sheave 35 on themainmast, thence around the sheaves 28 on said mast, and finally it iscarried to the drum 10 of the hoisting-engine 9.

While I prefer to employ the specific rigging of the cable 33 foradjusting the boom 30, I would have it understood that I do not desireto limit myself to the precise arrangement of its guide-sheaves, as I amaware that the same may be varied by a skilled mechanic. It is evidentthat the drum 10 of the hoistingengine may be operated to haul in or letout the cable 33 for the drum to raise or lower the same, as may berequired in the practical operation of the apparatus.

36 designates the bucket, consisting of parallel side walls and an endwall, suitably constructed of sheet metal to provide an open front endto said bucket. The bottom of the bucket is integral with the side wallsor rigidly united to said side and the end walls, and said bottom issuitably reinforced to enable it to stand the wear and usage to whichthe bucket is subjected when in service. At its front end the bucket isprovided with a shovel 37, preferably of steel and detachably securedthereto in a manner to project beyond the open front end of the bucket,and

said shovel may be removed when worn for the purpose of replacing it bya new shovel whenever desired. The bucket is carried by a slidablecarriage consisting of the hanger 38 and the saddle 41, and said hangerand saddle of the bucket-carriage are provided with rollers 42 43,arranged therein at different elevations to ride against the track-irons4.4 on the swinging boom 30. The hanger 38, constituting a part of thebucket-carriage, is constructed of plate or bar metal in sections, whichare suitably secured together and shaped to embrace the boom 30 and thesides of the bucket 36, and between the members or sections of thishanger are arranged the pairs of rollers 42 43, adapted to be looselyjournaled between the members of the hanger in position to ride againstthe track-irons on the boom. The hanger 38 has its members constructedto extend below and to embrace the opposite walls of said bucket, andthe bucket and hanger are attached together pivotally, as at 38, tocause the hanger tobe permanently connected to said bucket. The bucketand hanger are pivotally attached together at a'point in rear of themiddle of said bucket, so that the bucket may be said to be pivotedeccentrically to the hanger, and the supporting devices are so arrangedthat it is normally held in proper position against the saddle 41 forthe purpose of preventing the bucket from tilting downward to itsdumping position, said saddle 41 serving to limit the upward movement ofthe open front end of the bucket with relation to the boom 30. Thissaddle 41 is likewise constructed in sections arranged to embrace theboom and present a solid or continuous lower part adapted to lietransversely across the upper side of the bucket and to bear against thewalls thereof; but said saddle is not connected to the bucket and isadapted to restthereon only when a bucket is in operative position-as,for example, when engaged in scoop-.

ing up the load and when being raised with the boom preparatorytodumping the bucket and emptying its contents. This saddle 41 is rigidlyconnected with the hanger 38 in any I suitable wayas, for instance, bytransverse bars or rods to cause the saddle and hanger to maintainparallel positions to each other at all times; but, if desired, thehanger and saddle may be made of plate metal to constitute a singlecarriage for the bucket.

It will be understood that the saddle as well as the hanger is providedwith the bearing-rollers 42 43 and that the rollers 42 are arranged inthe upper part of the saddle and hanger to ride upon the track-irons 44,which are secured to the upper side of the boom IIO IZO

30, while the rollers 43 are journaled in the% hanger and saddle to rideagainst the trackirons 4E5, secured against the lower face of the boom30, whereby the scoop carriage is prevented from swaying or binding onthe boom and is free to have the desired longitudinal travel or movementalong the trackirons of the boom. To the open front end of the bucket 36is pivotally attached a bail 47, to an eye of which bail is connected ahook of the sheave-frame 46, having the sheave journaled looselytherein; To this sheave-frame on the bail of the bucket is attached oneend of the haulage-cable 49, which leads around a double sheave or block48 on the angular bracket 32 at the free end of the bail, from whichsheave of the block 48 the cable 49 leads back to the sheave of theblock 46, thence around another sheave in the block 48, thence carriedaround a guide-sheave 5O 51 on the mast, and finally led to the drum 11of the hoisting-engine.

At or near the free end of the boom 30 I provide a trigger or latch 52,which is preferably pivoted in the angular bracket 32 at a pointintermediate of its length to have one end of the trigger overbalancethe other hook-shaped end of said trigger. This trigger is pivoted at apoint (indicated by 54) to lie in the direction of the length of theboom, and the inner end of said trigger is curved to form the hook 56and provided with an inclined or beveled nose 55. The trigger or latch52 lies in the path of the bucket-carriage to engage with the shaft ofthe upper rollers 42, journaled in the saddle 41, and when thebucket-carriage and the bucket are moved longitudinally along thetrack-irons of the boom by the strain of the haulage cable 49 the noseof the latch or trigger is adapted to ride against said roller-shaft ina manner to tilt the trigger or latch and permit the hook thereof toengage with the bucket-carriage, thus confining the carriage and bucketagainst retrograde traveling movement on the boom. The carriage andbucket are thus practically locked at the o uter or free end of the boomto prevent said bucket from traveling backward when the boom is raisedto the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The trigger orlatch may be retracted from engagement with the bucketcarriage by meansof a trigger-line 57, attached to the overbalanced end or arm of thetrigger or latch and leading over suitable guide-sheaves 58 59, mounted,respectively, on the boom and the mainmast, said line leading to a pointwithin convenient reach of the engineer.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,it will be understood that the bucket is pivoted eccentrically to thehanger of its carriage, while the saddle is adapted to travel with thehanger and to rest upon the bucket to limit its upward movement underthe strain of the haulage-cable 49 toward the boom 30. Now when the boomis raised on its pivotal connection with the slidable mast the bucketand carriage are held locked by the trigger, and the hauling-cable 49 ismaintained in a taut condition to prevent the bucket from tilting orturning on its pivotal connection with the hanger during the elevationof the boom. After the parts have been adjusted over the place uponwhich it is desired to dump the load the haulage-cable 49 is slackenedto permit the bucket to turn on its pivotal connection with the hanger38, thus lowering the bucket to its dumping position and emptying theload. When it is desiredduring the lowering adjustment of the pivotedboom to permit the bucket and its carriage to travel endwise along theboom and return to theiroperative positions, the engineer pulls on thetrigger-line 57 to release the trigger or latch from the carriage, andthe haulage-cable 49 is slackened, thus allowing the bucket and itscarriage to travel by gravity toward the pivoted end of the boom.

I will now proceed to describe the means for turning the mainmast 14 ina horizontal plane to carry around with it the slidable mast and theboom 30, pivoted thereon, so that the bucket may, if desired, besuspended over the tram car or scow. This turning movement of themainmast 14 is effected by a horizontal cross-arm or bar 60, which isrigidly fastened by bolts to the lower part of the mainmast 14 at apoint below the track-irons thereon and opposite to the fixed keeper 21for the slidable mast 20. This cross-arm or bar 60 is braced by a stayor brace 61, which is bent around the fixed keeper 21 and is fastened tothe cross-arm at or near the ends thereof, and to said cross-arm isfastened the ropes or lines 62, which lead around suitable guidesheaves63 to the nigger-heads 13 of the hoisting-engine 9. The nigger-heads maybe operated to draw in on one of the lines 62 and slacken the other line62 for the purpose of turning the bar or cross-arm 60 and with it themainmast and its associated parts, or the last-named line 62 may beoperated to turn the mainmast and its associated parts in the reversedirection. 7

In the practical service of the apparatus the base or foundation frameis positioned in close relation to the work in hand, for which purposethe engine 9 may be utilized as a means for propelling the machine,particularly when it is mounted on the rollers or casters. In excavatingshallow trenches it may not be necessary to move the slidable mast in avertical direction each time the boom is raised and lowered, and in someclasses of work it is only necessary to properly adjust the mast 20 at asuitable distance above the line of the excavation, which adjustment mayreadily be effected by the cable 27 and its described connection withthe engine, or, if desired, said cable 27 may be fastened to a cleat orother confining means. The boom 30 is lowered on its pivotal connection31 with the mast to bring the excavator-bucket to the bottom of theexcavation, and the haulage-cable 49 is drawn by the proper drum of theengine to force the shovel 37 into the material to be removed, thuscausing the carriage and bucket to travel longitudinally on the boomuntil the latch or trigger 52 engages with the bucket-carriage. Thebucket is thus loaded automatically and is confined by the latch ortrigger against sliding movement on the boom in a direction toward itspivot, and during the traveling movement of the IIO bucket toward thelatch the saddle 41 rests upon the front end of the bucket to limit itsupward movement toward the boom and prevent this bucket from turning outof position due to the resistance of the material through which it isdrawn for the purpose of loading the bucket. The boom 30 is now raisedto an inclined position by causing the engine to draw on thehaulage-cable 33, and during such elevation of the boom the latch ortrigger engages therewith, and its cable 49 is held taut to maintain thebucket in the proper position on the boom and prevent it from dumping ortilting to discharge its load. The mainmast 14 may now be turnedhorizontally by the cross-arm or bar and the line 62, leading to thenigger-heads, thus carrying with it the slidable mast, the boom, and thebucket, and when the bucket reaches the point where it is desired todeposit the load the haulage-cable 4:9 is slackened, allowing the bucketto turn automatically on its pivotal connection with the hanger 38, suchturning movement of the bucket beingin no wise interfered with by thesaddle 41 or the trigger 52. While the boom is in its raised position,the trigger may be released by the line 57 and the bucket and itscarriage allowed to travel by gravity toward the pivotal end of theboom, and this operation of the parts allows the bucket to returnautomatically while the mainmast and the boom are being swung around andthe boom is being lowered, thus restoring the bucket and its carriage toposition for operation again.

One of the important advantages attained by the improved means forsupporting and actuating the bucket is that the weight of the boom andits operating parts is utilized to hold the bucket in proper relation tothe work and to confine it between the bed of the excavation and theboom. I11 this connection the saddle 41 serves an important purpose in.

that it confines the bucket against upward lifting movement toward theboom while it is being drawn through the material, but said saddle doesnot interfere in any way with the tilting or dumping of the bucket todischarge the load therein, because the saddle is not attached directlyto the bucket. Another advantage due to the construction and arrangementof parts is that I am able to employ a bucket having a rigidnon-tiltable bottom, thus dispensing with a latch-and-trip mechanism forcontrolling the opening or closing of the bucket, but, on the otherhand, a single rigid structure is provided, having an eccentric pivotalconnection with a carriage and adapted to turn bodily to its dumpingposition by slackening the strain on the haulagecable which draws thebucket through the material.

WVhen the apparatus is to be used for ex cavatin g deep trenches,themast20 is designed to have a vertical reciprocating play with the boom30, which is pivotally attached thereto. To lower the bucket in properrelation to the bed of the excavation, the cable 27 is slackened, thusallowing the mast 20 to slide downwardly on the mast 14, the casting 6,and the end timber of the foundation-frame, and assaid mast is loweredthe boom 30 and the bucket and its carriage travel with said mast. Asthe mast and bucket are lowered into the excavation the cable 49 is paidout until the bucket reaches the bed of the excavation, at which timethe engine is operated to arrest the descent of the mast and itsassociated parts. The bucket maynow be drawn through the material toload the same automatically and to engage with the latch or trigger. Themast, boom, and bucket are ,now raised to substantially the line of theground, the boom raised to its inclined position, and the mast let isturned horizontally to bring the bucket to the desired dumping position,after which the bucket is dumped and the parts are returned to theiroperative positions.

It may not be necessary in every instance to turn the mast 14 in orderto carry the bucket around to one side of the line of the excavation, asin some cases I design to load the material on tram-cars. i

In some cases the haulage-cable 27 for the slidable mast and boom may beattached to a fixed cleat or bracket to sustain the mast in a relativelystationary position, while allowing the boom to swing in vertical orhorizontal planes, as is usual in the art; but in case of deep trencheswhere the sides of the bank or cut would interfere with the swinging ofthe boom the haulage-cable 27 is ledto the drum or the engine, thusenabling the sliding mast to be raised and lowered in a perpendiculardirection with the boom, while at the same time the boom is free toswing vertically on its pivotal connection with the mast.

My apparatus may be employed as an ordi nary hoisting-derrick byremoving the bucket, and it is serviceable when it is desired to removerock where blasting is necessary. In this relation the boiler of theengine is adapted to supply the steam necessary for operating therock-drills, and when the apparatus is used for removing rock and brokenstone the material can be loaded into dump-cars or conveyers. Thecovering for the blasting necessary when blasting rock can be handledvery readily by the apparatus, and by suitable rigging and anchoredcable the machine may be propelled back and forth by the engine mountedthereon. l

The apparatus may also be used for railway-excavation work, and in thisconnection it may be built on an ordinaryfiat-car. When mounted on afiat-car, the horizontal turning movement of the boom maybe attained bythe employment of an ordinary circular track at the bottom of the mastand operated by a reversible drum controlled by the engine.

For excavating trenches, such as sewers,

the frame 1 is designed to be mounted on wheels or casters and operatedin the manner described. In this class of work it is desirable toback-fill, as it is termedthat is to say, to carry the materialexcavated from one part of the trench to another part of the trench inwhich the sewer-pipe has been laid. To adapt the apparatus for servicein excavations of this nature, one of the upright fixed braces 16 isremoved from the machine to allow the boom to swing clear back over thetrench and dump the contents of the bucket into a tram-car to be used asa conveyer running on a track resting on cross-ties which span thetrench, or, if desired, the track for the tram-car can be placed on oneside of the trench and the car arranged to dump sidewise into thetrench, as desired. This tramcar for refilling the excavation may beoperated by a cable and reversible drum operated by the engine.

I am aware that slight changes in the form and proportion of parts andin the details of construction may be made Without departing from thespirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention, and I thereforereserve the right to make such changes and alterations as properly comewithin the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure byLetters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a mainmast, of a vertically-slidable mast, aboom carried thereby,an excavator-bucket mounted on the boom, means foradjusting said slidable mast in a vertical direction, and operatingmeans for the boom and the traveling bucket, substantially as and forthe purposes described.

2. The combination ofa mainmast mounted to turn in a horizontal plane, avertically-slidable mast connected thereto to turn horizontallytherewith, a swinging boom having a hinged connection with the foot ofsaid slidable mast to swing independently in a vertical plane and totravel in perpendicular and horizontal planes with said slidable mast,and suitable operating mechanism for the masts and boom, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination with a mainmast, of a slidable mast connectedthereto, a boom pivoted to the foot of the slidable mast, a travelingexcavator bucket or shovel mounted on said boom, a latch or trigger toconfine the bucket or shovel against traveling movement on the boom, andoperating means for the slidable mast, the boom and said bucket orshovel, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. The combination with a suitable framework and a mainmast mounted torock thereon, of a slidable mast attached to said mainmast and adaptedto turn therewith and to slide endwise thereon, a boom connected to theslidable mast, a travelingbucket or shovel mounted on the boom, andmeans for rocking the mainmast, adjusting the slidable mast in avertical direction, raising and lowering the boom, and hauling theshovel or bucket, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. The combination with a frame and a mainmast mounted thereon, of aslidable mast attached to said mainmast and adapted to be lowered belowthe frame, a boom carried by the slidable mast, a traveling bucket orscoop, and operating means for said slidable mast, the boom and thebucket or scoop, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. The framework having diagonal timbers united together by avertically-disposed casting having one of its faces adapted to serve asa guide, in combination with a mainmast, a slidable mast connected withsaid mainmast and adapted to ride against the guide-face of saidcasting, a boom, a traveling bucket or scoop, and means for operatingsaid slidable mast, the boom and the bucket or scoop, substantially asand for the purposes described.-

7. The combination with a frame and a mainmast, of a vertically slidablemast, a keeper fixed to said slidable mast and loosely embracing themainmast, another keeper fixed to the mainmast and slidably fitted tothe slidable mast, a boom, a traveling bucket or scoop, and suitableoperating means, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. The combination of a mainmast provided with track-rails, a slidablemast fitted laterally against said mainmast, a keeper fixed to. theslidable mast and carrying suitable rollers adapted to travel on thetrack-rails of the mainmast, an other keeper fixed to the mainmast andembracing the slidable mast, means for raising and lowering saidslidable mast, a boom, a traveling bucket or scoop, and suitableoperating means for the boom and said bucket or scoop, substantially asand for the purposes described.

9. The combination with a suitable frame having a verticalguide-casting, of a mainmast stepped on the frame and provided on oneside with track-rails which terminate above said guide-casting,aslidable mast having a movable keeper and rollers or wheels adapted totravel on the track-irons, akeeper fixed to the mainmast below thetrack-irons and above the guide-casting to embrace the foot of theslidable mast, a boom carried by the slidable mast, and a travelingbucket or scoop, substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. The combination with a boom, of the sheave-carrying plates fixed tothe beam at its free end, an overbalanced trigger hung in said platesand having its nose normally in the path of the bucket-carriage, abucket-carriage slidably fitted to the boom and arranged to engage withthe trigger to be confined thereby at the outer end of the boom,ahaulage-cable guided in the sheave-carrying plates and connected to abucket on said bucket-carriage, and a trip-cord attached to the trigger,substantially as described.

11. The combination with a boom,of abuck et-carriage fitted thereto andconsisting of a hanger and a saddle, a bucket or scoop-hi1] ged to thehanger and a haulage-cable attached to said bucket or scoop and adaptedto force the latter against the saddle, whereby said saddle limits theupward movement of the bucket or scoop with relation to the boom,substantially as and for the purposes described.

' 12. The combination with a boom, of a hanger slidably fitted thereto,a bucket or scoop hung eccentrically on said hanger, a saddle fitted onsaid boom to travel thereon with the hanger and arranged to bear uponthe bucket or scoop in advance of its pivotal connection with thehanger, and a haulage-cable connected to said bucket or scoop below thebearing of the saddle thereon, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

13. The combination of a boom provided on its upper and lower sides withtrack-irons, a bucket-carriage fitted loosely on said boom and providedwith rollers adapted to travel on said track-irons above and below theboom, a bucket hinged to said carriage, a trigger mounted on the boom inv the path of the bucket carriage, and a haulage-cable connected to saidbucket, substantially as and for the purposes described.

14. The combination of a swinging boom, a bucket-carriage consisting ofa hanger and a saddle mounted on the boom to travel endwise thereon, abucket hinged eccentrically to the hanger and adapted to press or bearagainst the saddle of said carriage, a haulage-cable connected to thebucket in advance of its pivotal connection with the hanger and belowthe bearing of the saddle on said bucket, a trigger or latch mounted onthe boom in the path of the bucket-carriage and having an operatingline,and means for raising and lowering said boom, whereby the latch isadapted to confine the carriage and bucket, at or near the free end ofthe boom, while the latter is being raised and the bucket is adapted totilt to a dumping position without hindrance from the saddle of thebucket-carriage, substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. The combination with a suitable framework, of a mainmast steppedthereon, a transverse bar or arm rigid with said mainmast and havingsuitable operating-lines to turn the mainmast in a horizontaldirection,a Vertically-slidable mast connected with said mainmast andadapted to be lowered below the frame and the mainmast, a swinging boomcarried by the foot of the slidable mast, means for raising and loweringthe slidable mast and said swinging boom, a traveling bucket or scoopmounted on the swinging boom, and a haulage-cable guided on the mainmastand the swinging boom and connected with said bucket or scoop,substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses. k

GUSTOF J. MILLER.

Witnesses:

W. M. PRINDLE, T. II. I-IAwKEs, Jr.

